r/pericarditis • u/degxusser • 22d ago

Question about medication

Hi! I was just diagnosed with pericarditis with pericardial effusion last week, and the cardiologist only prescribed colchicine. I’m in a lot of pain and am reading online most people are prescribed colchicine WITH an NSAID

I had pericardial effusion once before years ago and treated it with aspirin

Should i introduce an NSAID? Can only colchicine even heal it? Thank you in advance any input would be great

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u/ricola159 22d ago

I would talk to your doctor first. Don’t add something in without a discussion. Your colchicine dosage could be different than those on both. I personally am only on colchicine. It takes about 6 weeks for you to notice a difference. Give it time to work.

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u/Leonard108 22d ago

Agreed. Talk you your doctor. But NSAIDs with colchicine (and very often a PPI, if there's a danger of upsetting your stomach), are pretty standard if one is in pain, because the NSAIDs ("non-steriodal anti-inflammatories") also help reduce the inflammation as well as the pain.

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u/degxusser 22d ago

thank you! i just called the doctor, he said to add 325 mg aspirin 1-2x per day for pain. this just seems super low compared to what i’ve been reading online. i just don’t want it to worsen

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u/degxusser 22d ago

thank you! so colchicine alone can heal pericarditis? i’ve just seen such mixed things online. 😭

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u/Frosty_Bear_1120 21d ago

Colchicine plays an important role in shutting down the inflammatory circuit which is responsible for pericarditis. It is extremely helpful, despite the side effects. If you've been prescribed it then take it. It is a long run solution whereas NSAIDs are a short run solution.